Feds to Bloomberg: STFU
The federal government will not file criminal charges against any of the 15 out-of-state gun dealers accused by Mayor Bloomberg in a federal lawsuit of selling guns illegally, the Daily News has learned.
In a stern rebuke to the city’s high-profile crusade against illegal guns, the feds warned the Bloomberg administration that it could face “potential legal liabilities” if it continues to conduct sting operations that fall within the jurisdiction of federal agents.
Only if it continues? The law has already been broken. Charge the dude. More:
According to a letter sent to City Hall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and various U.S. attorneys’ offices have determined the city’s findings against the 15 dealers “do not rise to a level that would support a criminal prosecution.”
The letter – sent Tuesday by Michael Battle, director of the executive office for United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice – also scolded City Hall for engaging in sting operations involving persons “without proper law enforcement authority,” saying that could put the city in legal jeopardy. Battle added that City Hall could “unintentionally interrupt or jeopardize” criminal probes.
Asked if the Bloomberg administration plans to stop conducting the sting operations, Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said, “Not necessarily.”
“The city hasn’t violated any laws,” Skyler said defiantly, adding that the city will continue to pursue its civil lawsuits against the gun dealers.
Yes, it has.
February 8th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Nice. The rate of action here is going beyond glacial.
David Hardy at Of Arms and the Law linked this article on the investigation.
February 8th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
“Only if it continues? The law has already been broken. Charge the dude. More:”-Uncle
So far, it seems you and I are the only ones that understand this is a turf struggle between rival gangs.
February 8th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
This warning is going to be as bad as it gets. It’s all just for show. Bloomberg and the BATFE are in the same business: denying American Citizens their civil rights. They aren’t going to hurt each other much. We certainly aren’t going to see Bloomberg hauled off in shackles like a one of us would be if WE did something like this.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
They’re all criminals in my book. I doubt anything will happen to Bloomberg.
February 8th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Above the law. Reminds me of home.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:15 am
[…] […]
February 9th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Maybe it will open up more counter-suits?
February 14th, 2007 at 9:48 am
[…] The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Ownership responds to the Justice Department telling Bloomberg to knock it off: “The response by the Bush Administration’s Justice Department to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking come across as an effort to silence the messenger rather than respond to the problem of a rise in violent crime,” according to Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. […]